Figurative Language In Langston Hughes's 'Salvation'

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In salvation Langston Hughes believed by seeing Jesus he was going to be saved. However he felt that it didn’t occur. “God damn! I’m tired o’ sitting here. Let’s get up and be saved.” This is Westley feeling as if he was ready to be saved after waiting for so long. Hughes was hesitant on following in his steps. He disagreed with Westley going up because he was tired of sitting. Huges uses tone, theme, as well as figurative language to explain that although others were being saved he was not happy with his form of “salvation”. “Now it was getting really late. I began to be ashamed of myself holding everything up so long.” Langston’s tone is shame and embarrassment in this particular quote. He said this at age twelve. Langston has tone different voices in this particular story, narrative as an adult and his preteen voice. “I was saved when I was going on thirteen but not really saved.” He states as a narrator. When he was older he understood better what he didn’t understand then. “Now I didn’t believe there was a Jesus anymore since he didn’t come to help me” the tone is hopelessness as well as despair. A thought like demonstrates internal conflict. Internal conflict is a major theme in this story. Langston is so convinced that truly being saved will be when he sees Jesus. It was stated…show more content…
“To bring the young lambs to the fold.” It was not said as a literal statement more so comparing the kids to lambs and the fold to salvation. Langston’s aunt tells him to go to Jesus she did not mean it in the sense that he really was going to see him in flesh. The aunt also says “Langston why don’t you come? Why don’t you come and be saved? Oh lamb of God! Why don’t you come?” He did not go up because he didn’t see Jesus but as well he did not realize the same way she compared him to a lamb going to God she was only comparing going to Jesus as a symbol of going towards
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